If dialogue could be considered a battle of life and death, Yu Ci felt that he had just struggled back from the brink of demise.
This feeling was all too familiar: he shouldn't deny his weaknesses and flaws, but there was also no need for self-deprecation, for undue humility. As he had always maintained, even though he was trapped in a deadly situation, he could never harbor a "doomed" mindset!
Whenever this happened, Yu Ci would enter his optimal state.
As the saying goes, there is nothing new under the sun. Yu Ci had once heard such a claim: to those who have experienced much and seen through the world, the countless changes of circumstances are nothing more than a few limited templates, repeating in cycles. Thus, everything they experience becomes a tiresome repetition.
Yu Ci was far from reaching such a state, but the tactics of He Qing were too classic, without much of a disguise. As long as his mind cooled down, he could discern:
A slap, then a sweet date.
This was probably the best way to manipulate characters throughout history, overused, yet the effect was indeed remarkable. Previously, Yu Ci's emotions were entirely controlled by He Qing, like a puppet on strings, devoid of autonomy.
But now, he began to grasp He Qing's intentions. So, in the gap of He Qing's speech, he interjected: "Immortal He"
He Qing glanced at him, allowing him to speak.
Yu Ci seized this opportunity and said solemnly, "I must be innocent. Immortal He, you must have made your judgment long ago, otherwise why would you speak so much to me?"
He Qing remained unflustered, "Not necessarily."
Yu Ci bowed to her, his tone smooth and respectful, "I understand Aunt He's intention. Although the innocent will clear themselves, the past mistakes must be rectified to avoid suspicion. Therefore, I would like to know how I can prove my innocence."
At this point, Yu Ci had fully stepped into the role He Qing had set for him. However, because he took the initiative, he did not allow He Qing to exert her full force, giving him space to breathe and think, as well as a chance to adjust himself. From now on, regardless of what He Qing said, wanted, or asked him to do, he should first establish his position. Now, he is an Outer Disciple of the Lichen Sect, not anything else.
This response made He Qing take a second look at him, nod slightly, and no longer dwell on Yu Ci's personal right or wrong. She pragmatically said, "Why the need to prove? When the truth is revealed, all will be clear under the sky. I asked you to interact with Zheng Yan before, just do it seriously."
Yu Ci thought for a moment and said, "Please enlighten me, Immortal Elder."
"There's not much to it. As I said before, you are a person with good fortune. I just fancy your luck."
"Luck?"
"Indeed, the eight leads surrounding the turmoil of Sky Rift Valley, all that have come into contact with you, are now either severed or broken. The only one that could potentially be reconnected is the Pure Water Sect. Looking at it this way, you could be the perfect test subject. I'll let you interact with them more. Let's see which thread is stronger when entwined, there must be an outcome."
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Yu Ci was taken aback. But then he saw He Qing's gaze fixed on him, cold and stern, yet he felt it was not directed at him.
His mind spun, and Yu Ci suddenly realized the answer: the talk of "seeing who is stronger" was just a pretext. At this point, He Qing must have already made up her mind; she was merely waiting for an "outcome".
Only with an outcome, can there be a reason to act.
Yu Ci's lips twitched, unsure whether to admire or dismiss her. Although he was well aware of Monk Yi Xin's schemes, He Qing could not possibly know. In other words, she made this decision without having full control of the evidence. Even Xie Yan, when he was in charge here, was not as decisive as her!
Recalling He Qing's recent accusations, Yu Ci couldn't help but consider whether he should disclose what he had seen and heard through the Divine Bronze Mirror. After hearing He Qing's words, he truly felt that keeping these secrets was a pointless endeavor.
But before he could decide, He Qing had already walked away. Yu Ci followed a few steps, only to hear:
"The Pure Water Sect and the so-called number one Lone Cultivator in Cliff City, Lu Mingyue, should be connected. After the chaos in Cliff City last time, Lu Mingyue mysteriously disappeared. It's said that he went traveling, but the timing is too coincidental. You might want to look into this, see if it could be a breakthrough."
Only then did Yu Ci remember, he didn't see Lu Mingyue at today's Treasure Exchange Banquet.
He began to seriously consider, while the gradually distancing He Qing sent back her voice: "Outer Disciples do have a lot of freedom, as long as they don't violate Sect rules, having some private matters is not a big deal. But people strive for higher places and water flows downwards. If you truly wish to achieve something on the Path of Immortality, you should strive for higher standards. This is what I'm saying on his behalf!"
This could be considered as another olive branch extended to him.
Yu Ci stood in place, somewhat wanting to laugh, but thinking of "him", he snapped back to reality: How was he going to send the Vacuum Energy Life Extension Pill back while working here?
*************
The continuous drizzle finally came to an end, yet the impact of the night banquet at Sky Wing Tower was still in full swing.
In this realm, there exists a saying: a successful Treasure Exchange Banquet can elevate the strength of the participants by a notch. Yu Ci found this statement not to be an exaggeration. One only needs to observe the scale of seclusion the Cultivators undertake after the banquet to understand the implications.
No matter how good the newly acquired Magical Instrument is, it still requires refining. Any Cultivator who gained something from the banquet would usually seize the moment, retreat into seclusion, and strive to refine their new Magical Instrument until they can wield it with ease. As a result, the activities of the Cliff City's upper echelon drastically decrease, making the city much quieter.
However, there are always exceptions to the rule. For instance, the Thousands Spirits Sect sent out invitations for a banquet at this time. The number of invitees was not large, only two.
Yu Ci sat in a lakeside pavilion, the warm spring breeze caressing his face, almost intoxicating. Yu Ci appeared relaxed, engaging in casual conversation with Shi Song. On the shore, Hu Dan was instructing people to arrange the seats, his involvement in such tasks indicating the importance he placed on this banquet.
This location was the only lakeside view on Cinnabar Cliff, making it the perfect place to entertain guests. However, Yu Ci was at least half a host here, the only true "guest" had not yet appeared.
At this moment, Shi Song was in high spirits, his one arm gesturing in the air:
"All things are born with spirit. The term 'thousands spirits' in our sect's name is derived from this concept, but the key lies in the character 'born'. Therefore, our Rotting Soul Fire, although it reeks of death, still needs to capture living spirits. The resentment it carries stimulates the Yin Fire, a procedure necessary for all similar methods.
"Immortal Yu's Hundred Spirits Transforming Radiance Veil must also be the same. However, without a unique method to dissolve the resentment and stabilize the mind, it is nothing more than a heretical side path that the wise would not take. Frankly, even though this Rotting Soul Fire is the foundation of our sect, I would not want Little Nine to practice it. Immortal Yu, as a senior disciple of the Lichen Sect, has plenty of Divine Power methods for cultivation. Why bother seeking far and wide?”
Yu Ci thanked Shi Song for his explanation with a smile, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Just as Shi Song was about to continue, a cheer resounded outside the pavilion, and a petite figure rushed in:
"Brother Fishbone (Yu Ci), long time no see!"
*********